Age 9 plus
The Clockwork Conspiracy
Sam Sedgman
EVERY second really does count in this
thrilling and perfectly ‘timed’ mystery from Sam Sedgman, the exciting writer
who co-authored the award-winning and much-loved Adventures on Trains series. Sedgman, who grew up with a
clock-obsessed dad, takes youngsters round the clock and back again in this breathless
locked-room mystery which comes packed with rooftop chases, hidden codes, and
mind-bending science. Aspiring inventor Isaac Turner lives
with his dad, Diggory Turner, the Chief Horologist in charge of Big Ben,
London’s famous Palace of Westminster clock tower. But when his father vanishes
from the belfry on the night the clocks go back, leaving behind only a smashed
pocket watch and a cryptic message, Isaac determines to find him. Hunting a
trail of clues through London’s landmarks, Isaac uncovers a sinister plot in
the workings of government and embarks on a race against time to save his
father... and time itself. With a clock showing time ticking down
at the start of every chapter, The Clockwork Conspiracy is the ultimate
race-against-the-clock mission that will have youngsters turning the pages and
enjoying the experience of getting lost in time. And along the way, they will visit
some of London’s most famous sights, pick up all sorts of fascinating scientific
principles, meet a cast of intriguing characters, and clock on to what promises
to be one of 2024’s most captivating middle grade adventures!
(Bloomsbury Children’s Books,
paperback, £7.99)
Age 9 plus
Shadowhall Academy: The Whispering
Walls
Phil Hickes
(Usborne Publishing, paperback, £7.99)
Stitch Head: The Graphic Novel
Guy Bass and Pete Williamson
HE'S not quite Frankenstein’s monster
but Stitch Head, a mad professor’s forgotten creation, certainly has adventure
stories all sewn up! Who can forget the freakishly funny tales of award-winning
author Guy Bass’ not-so-scary little monster who was brought to ‘almost-life’
by illustrator Pete Williamson in a hugely successful series. And now we can share all the guffaws
and giggles again in this brand-new, monstrously magnificent graphic novel
edition of Bass’ first book which sees Stitch Head step out of the shadows and
into his madcap world. Deep in the maze-like dungeons of
Castle Grotteskew, eccentric Professor Erasmus created Stitch Head, a small,
almost-human creature. His experiments continued, filling the castle with
creations so fabulously monstrous that Stitch Head was long forgotten. Until a
travelling circus ringmaster knocks at the castle door, promising to make
Stitch Head a star. Is this Stitch Head’s chance to venture beyond the castle
walls? Or could he be making a terrible mistake? This funny, accessible, fast-paced, full-colour,
graphic book adventure is perfect for reluctant readers who like their stories
to be visually appealing and the action to unfold at breakneck speed. Brimming
with atmosphere, excitement, captivating characters and chaotic humour, Stitch
Head is simply packed with monstrous fun!
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £8.99)
Age 7 plus
Marnie Midnight and the Moon Mystery
Laura Ellen Anderson
(Farshore, paperback, £7.99)
Bronte Tempestra and
the Lightning Steeds
Bex Hogan and Hannah McCaffery
CAN a bunch of not-so-dashing knights
be saved by a plucky princess? Enjoy a feminist twist on the traditional tales
of brave knights and trembling princesses in this fun-filled new fantasy quest series
from author Bex Hogan and illustrator Hannah McCaffery. The delightful and
daring Bronte Tempestra is an unforgettable new hero and we meet her in the
Storm Kingdom where she is taking charge of her own destiny and becoming the
first ever princess to train as a knight! But knight school isn’t the
fun-filled adventure Bronte is expecting. The knights don’t seem interested in
saving anything and when she discovers that the Lightning Steeds have gone
missing, leaving the Thunder Trolls to wreak havoc across the lands, she knows
it’s her moment to prove just how brave a princess can be. But first Bronte
must face down pompous griffin lords and bare-bottomed cloud-stealing gnomes,
monstrous horrorflies and spooky zombits. The future of the entire kingdom is
at stake. It’s time for the princess to rescue the knights! Tradition is well
and truly turned on its head in this funny, all-action romp packed with the
quirkiest creatures you’re ever likely to meet. And with McCaffery’s
imaginative illustrations bringing Bronte’s exciting fantasy world to glorious
life, it’s a glorious gallop from start to finish.
(Piccadilly Press, paperback, £7.99)
Little Experts: How to Build a Home
George Clarke and Robert Sae-Heng
ARCHITECT, writer, lecturer and TV presenter George Clarke is just one of a line-up of well-known personalities who are bringing their experience and knowledge to Little Experts, an inspirational non-fiction series for younger readers. These experts are famous for their incredible know-how and passion for their subjects, and now they have made it their mission to share that knowledge in these beautifully illustrated books which come packed with fascinating facts and colourful pictures, and include a helpful glossary to explain words and phrases. So meet George Clarke who declares that, ‘For me, a home is the most important piece of architecture.’ With Clarke as their guide, youngsters discover the stories behind our homes, and learn about designing, building and architecture. From marvellous materials to future tech, the book explores the different materials, technologies and environments that an architect considers while making a house a home. With colourful, playful artwork by Thai-Mexican illustrator Robert Sae-Heng on every page, this is home building made fun!
Learn about pollinating plants, the humble earthworm, and the importance
of soil and the oceans. And meet creatures large and powerful, and those that
are tiny but mighty... from ants, bats and sharks to wasps and dogs, they all
play their part in the world’s survival. An eye-opening journey through nature that
reminds us all of the need to care for the Earth at a time when it’s in most
urgent need of our protection. An entertaining and educational series to empower and
inspire a new generation of experts.
(Red Shed, hardback, £9.99 each)
Frank the Unicorn Alpaca
Gavin Puckett and India Joseph
IF you’re searching for a book with the aaaah factor, look
no further than this delightful rhyming romp from award-winning children’s
author Gavin Puckett and debut illustrator India Joseph from Manchester.
Puckett, a master of rhyme, brings early readers the cute and captivating tale
of an alpaca who turns into a unicorn and embarks on a journey of
self-discovery.‘Now here’s a tall tale (in fact it’s a cracker) all about
Frank, a curious alpaca. Although Frank’s daily life appeared simple enough,
Frank was soooo nervous, it made things quite tough!’ Frank lives in a petting zoo, full of wonderful cuddly
animals and the children who visit them. But he feels like he doesn’t fit in
and he hides so the children can’t laugh at him and his silly ears. But one day
he discovers a book about unicorns... and wakes up to a horn (ice-cream cone)
on his head! His dream has come true... he is a fabulous unicorn and feels
loved and confident in himself. And when he performs a daring rescue, he comes
to see that he is perfect just the way he is. With Joseph’s equally enchanting black-and-white
illustrations bringing Frank and his world to life, this fun-filled adventure
will have young readers looking for their own unicorn alpaca!
(Usborne Publishing, paperback, £7.99)
The Brilliant Brain
Dr Roopa Farooki and Viola Wang
THE brain is a VERY busy place and
that message comes across loud, clear, and in the most accessible way, in the
first book of an exciting and informative new series from award-winning doctor
and author Dr Roopa Farooki. The Brilliant Brain – a hugely popular
topic – launches Dr Roopa’s Body Books, her debut picture book series which
explores the different parts of the body and how to look after them. First up, Dr Farooki looks at the
wonderful workings of the brain, teaching how different parts of the brain work
and (just as importantly) how they work together. Every second of every day,
something is happening in every tiny bit of your body, from the top of your head
to the soles of your feet. And if you think of your body as a machine, your brain
would be the control room – with billions of buttons for all kinds of
incredibly important jobs like touching, seeing, thinking, talking, moving and
storing memories. Rather than simply identifying the
different parts of the body, Dr Farooki explores the body systems with her
trademark enthusiasm and warm sense of humour, and shares age appropriate, no-nonsense
tips on wellbeing such as how to look after your brain. Colourfully and imaginatively
illustrated by award-winning artist Viola Wang, this is the ideal introduction
to anatomy for use in nurseries and schools.
(Walker Books, hardback, £12.99)
Age 4 plus
Eyes that Weave the World’s Wonders
Joanna Ho with Liz Kleinrock and Dung Ho
A YOUNG transracial girl, who has been adopted by a culturally
different family, learns to love her Asian eyes, and find a family connection
and meaning through them in a beautiful new picture book. The heartwarming, poetic story was written by Joanna Ho, who
is of Chinese and Taiwanese heritage and is passionate about equity in books
and education, in tandem with Liz Kleinrock, a transracial adoptee and now
award-winning educator who was born in South Korea and grew up in Washington,
DC. Their story of adoption, family, love and acceptance is brought to life by
the exquisite illustrations of Dung Ho who was born and raised in Hue Imperial
City, Vietnam, and finds inspiration for her exquisite artwork in nature. A young transracial girl who has been adopted notices that
her eyes look different to her parents’. But she realises too that though her
eyes may not match her adoptive parents, the profound love her family shares
still connects them. Even as she has questions about her history, the girl
realises that her eyes weave the world’s wonders and shimmer with hope and
dreams, and stories that are uniquely her own. And through the support of her
family, both past and present, she is inspired to love herself. Eyes that Weave the World’s Wonders is a stunning companion
picture book to Eyes that Kiss in the Corners and will delight readers of all
ages with its outstanding visual and verbal elegance, joyful celebration of
family connections, and resonant messages about self-love and personal empowerment.
(Harper360, hardback, £12.99)
Measuring Me!
Nicola Kent
OUR bodies are amazing... and getting
the measure of them is fascinating! Award-winning author and illustrator Nicola
Kent works her magic on a clever new picture book which presents the topic of
measuring in an exciting and personal way. From finding out how tall you are in
food tins and weighing yourself in terms of your toys, to discovering how much
electricity your body can generate, Measuring Me! includes plenty of relatable
and intriguing methods to explore the concepts of measuring. Kent’s bright and
lively artwork – created by using watercolour, ink and kitchen table
printmaking techniques which she collages digitally – gives visual life and
interest to the topics and encourages little learners to engage in this
important concept. And with a pull-out height chart, which enables children to
measure their own height, this enjoyable lesson on the human body puts young
readers firmly in the picture and at the centre of the action!
(Little Tiger Press, hardback, £12.99)
One Little Tadpole
Molly Littleboy and Jacob Souva
AS winter ebbs and spring draws
nearer, the magic of pond-dipping is just waiting to be discovered! And what
better way to start the wildlife journey than watching how one little tadpole becomes
a hopping, leaping frog. Written by Molly Littleboy and colourfully
illustrated by Jacob Souva, One Little Tadpole is the new book in Little Tiger
Press’ clever and engaging One Little series which features inventive
flaps to lift and encourages curious young children to head out into nature and
explore for themselves. And here we take a close look at the wonders of the frog life cycle
and learn the very best way to pond dip. Packed with simple facts, activities, prompts,
and with a call to action at its core, this is the perfect book to empower
your little ones to interact with the world around them, no matter where they
live or what their circumstances are. So put on your coat, pull on your
wellies, and use all your senses to uncover the countless secrets that await in
ponds everywhere!
(Little Tiger Press, board book,
£9.99)
Habitats
Hannah Pang and Isobel Lundie
NATURE is like a magical journey that transforms with every
step in this fascinating and stunningly illustrated book from the top team of
author Hannah Pang and illustrator Isobel Lundie. Simply peel back the
pages of Habitats to discover a world of ever-changing animal homes and marvel
as Pang and Lundie
work their magic through colourful, interactive split pages. By creating a
totally immersive experience spanning breathtaking habitats, species and
landscapes, readers embark on a visual journey through each unique home and
meet the incredible animals that live there. From mountain tops to forest
floors, and from vast oceans to shifting sands, animal habitats connect to form
one amazing home... our home, our Earth. With simple facts, Pang’s
inspirational narrative, Lundie’s richly detailed and collaged artwork, and the
intriguing, multi-layered pages, this is the perfect book to make learning both
fun and visual, and will be treasured by nature lovers of every age.
(Little Tiger Press, hardback, £12.99)
The Armadillo Who
Came for Dinner
Steve Smallman and Joëlle Dredemy
YOUNGSTERS will love getting their
teeth into the sixth tasty picture book in Steve Smallman and Joëlle Dredemy’s
heartwarming and hilarious The Lamb Who Came for Dinner series. The Armadillo
Who Came for Dinner positively rolls and bounces with Smallman’s wit and warmth
and French illustrator Dredemy’s striking and characterful artwork as we meet
up again with Wolf, Hotpot the lamb and their pet crocodile Omelette one lazy,
hazy summer afternoon. There they are, having a picnic as the bees buzz and the
birds twitter when what they think is a boulder rolls right through their food
and into a tree with a thump. But it’s not a rock, it’s an armadillo called
Dizzy and kindly Hotpot asks if he needs a hug. Dizzy is a tough armadillo and
he definitely doesn’t need a comforting hug. Yet, when disaster strikes at the
Fun Fair, the embrace of a friend could be just what this tough armadillo
needs. Smallman’s clever, comical and cautionary tale encourages young readers
to challenge stereotypes and expectations and look beyond the surface because
someone who looks tough on the outside can sometimes be soft, and more
vulnerable, on the inside. The perfect book to share with your own special
family and friends!
(Little Tiger Press, hardback, £12.99)
I Really, Really Need a Poo
Karl Newson and Duncan Beedie
HOLD on tight and don’t poo poo it but dynamic picture book
duo – award-winning children’s author Karl Newson and creative illustrator
Duncan Beedie – are back with another stinking good tale starring everyone’s
favourite Bush Baby! This is the talented pair’s third collaboration in a hilarious
and heartwarming series that has included I Really, Really Need a Wee and I
Really, Really Love You So. The star performer once again is the cute Bush Baby
who has a little secret and it rhymes with number two... She really, really,
really, really needs a POO! She’s parping and tooting but all the toilets are
too tiny or taken. Will she find the perfect place to poo, or will there be
poo-poo pandemonium! Giggles galore are guaranteed in this clever, comical book
which delivers laughs on every page and is packed with humour that will appeal
to all the many young and mischievous poop enthusiasts. With Newson’s
fun-filled rhymes, Beedie’s bold, vibrant illustrations, and a smelly twist in
its tail that will tickle young readers, I Really, Really Need a Poo is simply
bursting with fun!
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £7.99)
A Home for Stone
Corrinne Averiss and Rosalind Beardshaw
A LITTLE boy becomes determined to
find a home for a lonely stone in a beautifully emotive picture book from
author Corrinne Averiss and illustrator Rosalind Beardshaw. This top team are the
award-winning creators of My Pet Star, a tender story about love and loss which
won Sainsbury’s Children’s Book of the Year in 2019. In this enchanting story
about kindness, imagination and finding friends in unexpected places, Averiss’
moving, rhyming and inspirational adventure blends exquisitely with Beardshaw’s
gallery of heartwarming and colourful illustrations. When a boy finds a lonely
stone on a quiet beach, he decides to find him the perfect home among other
stones just like him. But nowhere feels quite right for little Stone. And just
as the boy is about to give up, he realises that he may have had the perfect
home for Stone all along. Written and illustrated with love and attention to
detail, this is the perfect, wind-down bedtime story.
(Orchard Books, hardback, £12.99)
Move and Play: I Want to Be a Penguin & I Want to Be a Frog
Illustrated by Pintachan
WE'RE on the move! Get your little ones sliding, hopping, flapping and leaping with Move and Play, an all-action series which has been specially created by Oxford University Press. Featuring everyone’s much-loved favourite animals, these bright, beautiful and busy picture books support the development of children’s motor skills and imagination. Each book features a cut-out mask and the gorgeous, child-friendly illustrations of Spanish artist Pintachan. And at the end of each book, all the moves that have been learned are grouped together in one handy reference page.
(Oxford University Press, paperback, £7.99 each)
Age one plus
Gigantosaurus – The Mysterious Maze
Cyber Group Studios
(Templar Publishing, paperback, £6.99)
Can You Catch the Bunny?
Rosie Adams and Linda Tordoff
LET little fingers do the learning
with this fun and educational board book which helps babies and toddlers to
develop important motor skills. Written by Rosie Adams and colourfully
illustrated by Linda Tordoff, Can You Catch the Bunny? is a lively
touch-and-trace maze book which offers youngsters a fun and interactive reading
experience. ‘Bunny’s on a treasure hunt, what do you think he’ll find? Chase
him through the veggie patch and don’t get left behind!’ Children will love helping
Bunny find his way through the garden, forest, orchard and meadow as they enjoy
Tordoff’s adorable artwork and follow the touch-and-trace trails. A hands-on
winner!
(Little Tiger Press, board book,
£7.99)
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